Articles

  • A grammar system that associates one of three genders with every noun
  • There is a separate article for every gender
Type Male Female Neutral English
Definite der die das The
Indefinite ein eine ein A/An
  • The case system adds a lot of variety to articles

    • Nominative: who is performing the action

      English Masculine Feminine Neuter Plural
      The der die das die
      a ein eine ein  

    • Accusative: on whom the actions is being performed

      English Masculine Feminine Neuter Plural
      The den die das die
      A einen eine ein  

    • Dative: with what the actions is being performed

      English Masculine Feminine Neuter Plural
      The dem der dem den
      A einem einer einem  

    • Genitive: expresses possession (only used in writing, in speaking dative is used)

      English Masculine Feminine Neuter Plural
      The des der des der
      A eines einer eines  

  • Some words can have different meaning based on which article is used with them. Example: band

    German English
    Der Band Volume (of a book)
    Die Band music band (group of musicians)
    Das Band Ribbon (hair band)